To not want to drop my hours when DS starts school?

[mindyourfingersplease]

But I think I’ll have to.

I am currently part time with two days off a week. I’d like to keep this as I have a younger child.

My younger child’s nursery starts at 730. I’d have to drop her then at this time. Then get to DS school for beakfast club to start at 8. This gives me twenty five minutes to get to work myself, through heavy morning traffic. DH can’t help: he leaves for work at 7.

I think typing that out has made me realise I’ll have to drop my hours.

I don’t really have a career. In terms of money, which is why I work, it costs more for DH to drop hours than me. I’d prefer to stay at three days but if I can’t I can’t. Just toying ideas around.

What are the hours you are suggesting you do? You haven't actually explained what you do now and what you have to drop to

in that case

there’s your job opportunity of literally zero childminders at this school!!

Most people try to increase their hours as their kids go to school

Can you get a nanny for before/after school. It’s what I had as a child - not posh, just 4 hours a day for a local mum with older children. Worth advertising at least?

Great idea!!

It’s not dropping hours but is there any flexibility

what job are you doing if it isn’t a career is there anything you can move too

I’m not sure why you’ve posted, OP. People have given the usual suggestions and you’ve shot them down.

childminder, nanny, your DH. That’s it.

@Tiswa sorry - I meant I’m not really looking at promotions or anything like that.

There isn’t really flexibility tbh. The problem is DH can be away or home or office and it isn’t set. So yes flexible but not in the way people mean.

because i suspect this OP wants to jack in job but dh not keen

@Didimum just thinking out loud really. I have checked the childminder thing, as I thought if there was one (which I did doubt) it would be as well to contact now but there isn’t one. I mean, I can’t think of any solutions either, I’m not annoyed or anything!

so because you’re daughter is settled at a nursery she will be at for a short period of time

you will jack in a job?

Could you keep the same number of hours but do them split over 4 days instead of 3? So you could start at say 9:30

Can you do shorter, but more days? Start later or whatever but on more days?

Tbh it does a little like you do want to drop hours, but would very much like someone to agree with you that it is your only option.

If you're currently paying for 2 kids at nursery, it might work out to do 4 shorter days - you'd have to pay for 4 days nursery but only for one child. Or maybe 3.5 days so you only have to pay for a morning session extra.

What hours do you work and what times are your drop offs and pick ups now? Can DH help with pick ups? If so can you just shift your hours half an hour later? Does your youngest go to nursery 3 days a week or more? Can you spread your hours over 4 days? Or take a shorter lunch break? Or make up half an hour from home in the evenings?
There is too much info missing from your posts for posters to actually be able to make useful suggestions.

There is no childminder. Not sure why you’re being such an arse to the OP 🤔

i suggested that the op become a childminder because for not a single childminder to be present… well, there’ll be demand!

a different nursery?!

How have you managed to get this from me saying I don’t want to drop my hours!?

Besides, I won’t be ‘jacking in my job’, whatever happens. I will probably have to drop half a day for the next couple of years, that’s it. Just could do with the money so I’d prefer not to!

This makes the most sense and is what most people would do.

OP - some people literally cannot comprehend that there are areas of the country with zero childminder available, and no one on sitter.com within 30 miles. They assume you are just not trying hard enough.

From my point of view, you are lucky you have a breakfast club at your school at all. If you can tweak your hours slightly for a later start then that's ideal. Having to reduce hours when your DC start school is really common. Or you could add a day at nursery, and spread your hours over fewer days, if that's a possibility.

What would that solve?

I feel like I’m answering a totally different thread😂

DDs nursery is the closest to DSs school. It’s a rural area. Things are spread out.

More days, shorter hours?

The reason I don’t want to do that while DD is below school age is because I do value the time I have with her. If it came to it I’d rather have two days a week with her than drop a day. (Plus nursery costs would be higher if I’m paying for four days but only working three.)